Bishop Jenkins Explains

Episcopal Life has a good story on Bishop Jenkins' advocacy for the tenants of public housing in New Orleans.

"I have come to think that the theological virtue of love is the basis for the baptismal covenant question which asks: 'will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?'," Jenkins wrote in his December 20 web log entry about how agape love has informed his involvement. "We are called to love others as God loves others and ourselves. We are called to seek for others God's perfect end. The Christian is not only to love neighbor as self, but as best we can, to love our neighbor as God loves them.

"This means that there are no disposable lives, no subspecies of human upon whom we may look down but that all posses a certain, God-given, dignity in life. This frames the moral issue that I feel compelled to address as a Christian. There is a direct connection between our current homeless population in New Orleans and the thirty thousand families and individuals living in FEMA travel trailers all of whom shall soon be evicted even from those formaldehyde soaked boxes. I am concerned about our homeless situation now and concerned about what I think may be a looming human tragedy in the near future.
....

"As a Christian," wrote Jenkins to the Council, "I am compelled to speak of the morality of these decisions. The issue is not simply one of housing or even subsidized housing. Rather, the issue before us is about people, not buildings, and it is primarily a moral issue."

Unfortunately, the New Orleans City Council voted to move ahead with demolition of public housing units, despite the present scarcity of affordable houses and apartments for those who have the least. The plea from Bishop Jenkins and others was for, at the very least, a delay in the removal of existing housing until the new housing units were completed - which could take as long as five years. I don't know where the folks presently living in the housing units will go when they are evicted from their apartments.

It seems I'm always begging, but if you have spare money after Christmas has ravaged your budget, You may want to consider a donation to Bundles of Hope at the site of the Diocese of Louisiana.

This Christmas, give a lasting and meaningful gift to your family, friends, co-workers, and clients. Give the gift of hope to many still in need in New Orleans. Honor family and friends, and help the diocese with its rebuilding efforts at the same time.

Simply purchase one or more online (or mail in a check), and print out your honor card to mail to your friends and family. It's that simple! Of course, if you need help and don't have access to a printer, call us (225-706-6634) and we will be glad to help. Thank you for supporting the rebuilding and recovery of a great American city.

Remember. It's still Christmas.